Spurrier says both running backs have good offseasons

Published: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 12:37 a.m.

Perhaps the only good that came from Marcus Lattimore suffering season-ending injuries each of the past two seasons is South Carolina was able to build some depth at the running back position.

In 2011, it was Brandon Wilds who stepped in and shouldered the load down the stretch, rushing for more than 100 yards in three of the final five games after the former Byrnes star went down with a torn ACL.

Wilds redshirted in 2012 with an ankle injury and when Lattimore went down again near the end of the 2012 season, true freshman Mike Davis saw his role increase as he and senior Kenny Miles saw the majority of the playing time in USC's final three games.

Davis had 13 carries for 53 yards and a score against Arkansas and 12 carries for 43 yards in the regular-season finale against Clemson.

USC coach Steve Spurrier knows that replacing Lattimore will be tough, but feels that he has two backs that are up to the challenge.

“Brandon Wilds and Mike Davis both have had an excellent winter conditioning season. They've improved their strength and speed, especially Brandon Wilds. He's faster than he's ever been. Those two backs are ready. We've got huge confidence in both of those guys,” Spurrier said.

Davis, who is the brother of former Clemson star running back James Davis, said he's looking forward to battling Wilds for the starting running back job.

“I know it's going to be tough. Nothing's going to be given here. You've got to work for it,” he said. “I'm ready for it. I'm not going to shy away from it. I know Brandon's going to come hard and I'm going to come hard. We're both going to push each other.”

While Davis and Wilds are the clear-cut favorites to win the starting job, Kendric Salley and Shon Carson also have a chance to contribute this season.

Salley redshirted last year, while Carson missed most of the season with a wrist injury. Carson returned at the end of the season and played in the Outback Bowl, catching two passes in USC's win over Michigan. He's currently playing baseball for USC.

David Williams, who signed with the Gamecocks in February, also has a chance to come in and contribute immediately.

The Philadelphia native was rated as one of the top running backs in the nation coming out of high school.

USC running backs coach Everette Sands said that he's excited about the group of backs he has to work with and is looking forward to seeing who stands out from the rest of the group.

“Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds, those are the top two guys right now. You've got to think, Brandon Wilds came in and started four games and I think he rushed for over 100 yards in three of them, so he's a proven SEC back,” Sands said. “Mike Davis came in and he had some good playing time and he's shown that he can do it as well. There's no doubt in my mind that we have enough talent to get it done. The big thing is who's going to step up and say ‘Hey, this is my job.' ”

<p>Perhaps the only good that came from Marcus Lattimore suffering season-ending injuries each of the past two seasons is South Carolina was able to build some depth at the running back position.</p><p>In 2011, it was Brandon Wilds who stepped in and shouldered the load down the stretch, rushing for more than 100 yards in three of the final five games after the former Byrnes star went down with a torn ACL.</p><p>Wilds redshirted in 2012 with an ankle injury and when Lattimore went down again near the end of the 2012 season, true freshman Mike Davis saw his role increase as he and senior Kenny Miles saw the majority of the playing time in USC's final three games.</p><p>Davis had 13 carries for 53 yards and a score against Arkansas and 12 carries for 43 yards in the regular-season finale against Clemson.</p><p>USC coach Steve Spurrier knows that replacing Lattimore will be tough, but feels that he has two backs that are up to the challenge.</p><p>“Brandon Wilds and Mike Davis both have had an excellent winter conditioning season. They've improved their strength and speed, especially Brandon Wilds. He's faster than he's ever been. Those two backs are ready. We've got huge confidence in both of those guys,” Spurrier said.</p><p>Davis, who is the brother of former Clemson star running back James Davis, said he's looking forward to battling Wilds for the starting running back job.</p><p>“I know it's going to be tough. Nothing's going to be given here. You've got to work for it,” he said. “I'm ready for it. I'm not going to shy away from it. I know Brandon's going to come hard and I'm going to come hard. We're both going to push each other.”</p><p>While Davis and Wilds are the clear-cut favorites to win the starting job, Kendric Salley and Shon Carson also have a chance to contribute this season.</p><p>Salley redshirted last year, while Carson missed most of the season with a wrist injury. Carson returned at the end of the season and played in the Outback Bowl, catching two passes in USC's win over Michigan. He's currently playing baseball for USC.</p><p>David Williams, who signed with the Gamecocks in February, also has a chance to come in and contribute immediately. </p><p>The Philadelphia native was rated as one of the top running backs in the nation coming out of high school.</p><p>USC running backs coach Everette Sands said that he's excited about the group of backs he has to work with and is looking forward to seeing who stands out from the rest of the group.</p><p>“Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds, those are the top two guys right now. You've got to think, Brandon Wilds came in and started four games and I think he rushed for over 100 yards in three of them, so he's a proven SEC back,” Sands said. “Mike Davis came in and he had some good playing time and he's shown that he can do it as well. There's no doubt in my mind that we have enough talent to get it done. The big thing is who's going to step up and say 'Hey, this is my job.' ”</p>